KABAROLE – Police in Kabarole District are investigating circumstances under which one of their own officers shot dead a man and injured another on Monday morning.
Rwenzori Region police spokesperson, Ms Lydia Tumushabe in an interview said the police officer-in-charge of Bukuku Police Post, Mr Gabriel Kamara, shot dead Richard Atugonza and injured Abdul Tugume, who are both residents of Bulela village in Kitarasa ward, Kabarole, for resisting arrest.
Ms Tumushabe said early Monday morning, the Bulela village chairperson Mr Samuel Byaruganga reported the case of drug abuse at Bukuku police post that the duo was possessing opium which they were allegedly selling to people.
In response, the officer in charge of Bukuku police post, Mr Gabriel Kamara together with Mr Yosia Mwangusya went to the scene but were allegedly attacked by both the deceased and his brother Mr Tugume.
She said the duo was armed with a panga and a spear who allegedly attacked the police officers and injured Mr Gabriel Kamara in the stomach with a spear and in self-defence shot them.
Ms Tumushabe said the injured police officer is admitted at Fort Portal regional referral hospital while Mr Tugume is at Virika hospital.
She said the investigation into the matter is underway.
Cases of police officers shooting dead are common in Uganda. Police officers in September in Mityana used live bullets while quelling a protest against the arrest of MP Francis Zaake. In the process, two people travelling in a taxi were shot dead. One died on spot and another later in hospital.
